Position Description
The Youth Services Specialist will assist the Peer Coordinator in launching Harlem United’s Youth Services evening programming, specifically with LGBTQIA youth, including individuals who participate in the house ball community.
In collaboration with the evening services, the Youth Services Specialist will also assist the testing team in conducting rapid HIV/HCV testing and STI screenings on-site at Harlem United locations during evening hours, as well as at community-based settings, including SROs, shelters, and public housing developments, and on the Harlem United testing van, throughout East/Central Harlem and other targeted locations throughout NYC.
The Youth Services Specialist provides HIV/STI education and risk reduction counseling. The candidate delivers rapid test results, conducts confirmatory testing as needed, and delivers STI screening results. They work directly with Patient Navigators to provide navigation services with clients in need of medical care/treatment, mental health services, and other social services as required. Conduct PCRS and refer to NYCDOHMH CNAP as needed.
Essential Job Functions
The following duties are mandatory requirements of the job:
Evening Drop-In Services
-
Assist Peer Coordinator in covering evening services for LGBTQIA youth, including house ball practice two evenings per week.
-
Provide assistance in roll out of evening drop-in services (laundry, pantry, showers, etc.)
-
Provide HIV/HCV rapid testing, PrEP/PEP screening, and service referrals during open evening hours.
HIV Testing Services
-
Conduct targeted outreach and provide a minimum of 40 rapid HIV tests per month to residents of East and Central Harlem and targeted venues throughout NYC, largely focused towards serving LGBTQIA individuals and people who use drugs. Conduct confirmatory testing of individuals testing preliminary positive.
-
Ensure clients receive confirmatory test results by offering to deliver results a convenient place and time of the clients choosing, or coordinate escort services to bring the client to a convenient HU location.
-
Counsel all HIV positive individuals on partner notification. Refer client to PCRS Counselor/Clinical Supervisor for short-term crisis counseling on issues related to living with HIV, disclosure, care, etc. Provide referral to NYCDOHMH CNAP as required.
-
Maintain appropriate, accurate, and clear documentation of all HIV, HCV and STI testing services and service coordination.
-
Available to work occasional evenings and weekends for special events.
HCV/STI Screening
-
Conduct STI screenings (Syphilis, Gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Hepatitis C).
-
Maintain appropriate, accurate and clear documentation of all STI screening services and service coordination.
-
Ensure clients receive STI screening results by offering to deliver results a convenient place and time of the client’s choosing, or coordinate escort services to bring the client to a convenient HU location.
-
Work with Patient Navigator to coordinate initial medical appointment for all individuals with reactive STI results.
-
Counsel all STI reactive individuals on risk reduction practices, partner notification.
Additional Services
-
Conduct PrEP/PEP screenings and brief risk interventions for all individuals who test negative for HIV.
-
Work in collaboration with Patient Navigators to coordinate navigation to medical care, including iART as indicated, including scheduling clinic appointments, reminders, accompaniments and other related activities as needed to engage community members in medical care, and to additional resources that ensure retention in care and services.
-
Refer to medical benefits enrollment for ADAP, Medicaid, ACA insurance and other needed benefits.
-
Assist with conducting syringe exchange services as needed in the field.
-
Assist with referrals and navigation to additional social services, including general medical, insurance, case management, mental health, housing, treatment adherence, and other supportive services.
-
Ensure the maintenance of appropriate, accurate, and clear documentation of all testing, education, navigation outreach and other client activities in client charts.
-
Input data entry for all required documentation into data entry systems upon service completion. Enter data into HU eIcare database as needed.
Other Responsibilities
The following duties are to be performed as assigned by the supervisor:
-
Participate in agency-wide events as assigned.
-
Participate in outreach strategy planning meetings.
-
Other duties as assigned.
Education and Certification
Bachelor’s Degree with 2 years related work experience. A high school diploma OR GED equivalent with 2-3 years’ experience in HIV testing programs will substitute for a Bachelors Degree. Must have experience working with communities served by this program, including African American and Latino young men who have sex with men (MSM) and individuals of trans experience. Prior risk reduction and/or health education counseling work experience, knowledge of HIV testing service programming preferred. Phlebotomy certification highly preferred.
Special Skills and Knowledge
In addition to the above-listed job responsibilities and educational requirements, the ideal candidate for this position possesses the following:
-
Proven experience in working with people from a trauma-informed care lens, as well as proven experience in verbal de-escalation.
-
Able to provide culturally competent services and demonstrate respect for the community to be served by our program.
-
Demonstrated application of harm reduction, motivational interviewing, and stages of change.
-
Knowledgeable about HIV infection, transmission, treatment, risk reduction, and sexuality issues; knowledgeable in local, state, and federal laws regarding HIV and other relevant issues of providing health care, especially the right to privacy and confidentiality.
-
Knowledgeable about substance use issues, including but not limited to opioid epidemic, overdose prevention, safer injection practices, substance use treatment; knowledgeable in local, state, and federal laws regarding Buprenorphine and other relevant issues of providing health care.
-
Strong knowledge and access to New York City social services system, especially in upper Manhattan and the Bronx.
-
Excellent verbal and written communication skills are essential; candidate must have strong organizational and time management skills, and ability to pay attention to details and follow through on complex projects.
-
Familiarity with online data entry systems such as eIcare, ECW, AIRS, eSHARE, preferred.
-
Candidate must have a strong sense of commitment to Harlem United’s mission.